Conventions of Mise-en-scene in my Film TrailerBY RYAN TALMAGE

Setting

The settings used in my film trailer consists mainly of isolated locations which are conventional to the Post-Apocalyptic Horror Genre as it conveys a sense of hopelessness. It also further emphasises the devastation that the infection has had on the human population.

I used a variety of different locations to further create the conventional sense of unknown danger which helps create tension which is also conventional of the horror genre.

The emptiness of the world that I have created makes the protagonists much more sympathetic towards the target audience as they are portrayed as weak and powerless which are conventional character traits of the genre. It also makes their journey all the more engrossing and engaging.

Setting

The settings also include old, abandoned and decrepit buildings to conventionally convey the chaos that has happened to the world which further emphasises the protagonists vulnerability, another convention aspect of the Post-Apocalyptic Horror Genre. It also conveys the destruction that has been caused by the infection which connotes the conventional unseen threat aspect that is seen in many Post-Apocalyptic Horror films.

The woodland setting helps add to the convention of being in constant danger as they can be attacked form any direction which adds an intensity that appeals to the target audience.

Costumes and Props

The costumes used in my film trailer are conventional especially on the antagonists such as the bandit who is seen wearing a hood, tracksuit bottoms and a balaclava which presents him as violent and dangerous. The bandit also looks a lot more intimidating that the protagonist which signifies his power which is conventional to the genre as the antagonist is used to generate fear for the protagonist and audience.

The infected’s costumes are torn, ragged and bloody which adds to the conventional style of the infected which is frequent in the Post-Apocalyptic Horror genre. The protagonists, on the other hand, are wearing conventional clothing such as jackets and hoodies which signifies that they are prepared to face the perils that they will face on their journey.

Props such as weapons are conventional as they connote violence which is a conventional recurring theme of the genre. It also allows the target audience to identify the genre through the signifier.

Lighting

The lighting used in my film trailer is a mix of low-key and high-key lighting. The low-key lighting conventionally creates tension towards the target audience. This is to portray the conventional dark tone of the film to bring across the themes of threat and hopelessness.

High-key lighting is used in order to create a sense of false security. This is used when the action is calm to help emphasise this feeling which relates to the conventions of the genre of never feeling safe even when everything is fine. This puts the target audience on edge as they will soon be put in danger and risking their lives. These contrast with the low-key lighting scenes which helps convey the conventional themes of survival.